Admiral Ackbar dispatched Zander and Kordi Freemaker in their starship, the StarScavenger', to pick up Derlin. However, the mission was complicated when their younger brother Rowan Freemaker came along for the ride and convinced his older siblings to visit Maz Kanata's castle on the planet Takodana, which lay on the way to Major Derlin's coordinates. The rebel spy's escape pod was floating in a junk field off the acidic planet of Taul. Rowan wanted to seek Maz Kanata's help for information on how to obtain a proton suspension housing from a Corellian Defender, which was large enough to contain a bantha–sized kyber crystal. Despite Kordi's misgivings, Rowan managed to persuade the easy-going Zander to take a detour.[3]

At Maz Kanata's castle, the Freemakers encountered the WeequaypirateHondo Ohnaka, who had earlier enlisted their help in obtaining three varactyl eggs from the Third moon of Takodana. Hondo offered to help them obtain a proton suspension housing from a Corellian Defender. Due to Hondo's reputation for dishonesty, the Freemakers were unwilling to accept his help until he convinced Zander of his expertise with starships. Despite Maz's cryptic warnings, the Freemakers accepted Hondo's help.[3]

In return, Hondo requested passage offworld. The pirate had incurred the wrath of the bounty hunterAwan Zek, whom he had cheated in a game of sabacc. Following a brief confrontation, the Freemakers and Hondo managed to escape from Zek and his Rodian colleagues. One of the Rodians recognized Rowan Freemaker from the Empire's wanted list and informed Zek, who reported Rowan's whereabouts to the Empire. The Imperialhunter droidM-OC intercepted Zek's message and traveled to Taul on his starship Tracker I.[3]

Upon landing the StarScavenger on Taul, the Freemakers discovered that Taul was an acidic world with violent thunder storms and giant falling rocks. After braving the dangerous elements and acidic lakes, the Freemakers managed to make their way to the wreck of a Corellian Defender, which was floating on top of an acidic lake. Unable to lift the Corellian Defender out of the lake without destroying it, the Freemakers used the Mini Scavenger to enter the wrecked starship. Despite some difficulty, Rowan managed to use the Mini Scavenger's chain to retrieve the proton suspension housing before the Corellian Defender collapsed into the acidic lake.[3]

Before they could continue on their mission to retrieve Major Derlin, the Freemakers discovered that Hondo had stolen the StarScavenger. The Freemakers' troubles were complicated further when M-OC arrived in the Tracker I and destroyed the Mini Scavenger. The Freemakers were forced to brave Taul's dangerous elements while staying ahead of M-OC, whose metallic body was capable of self-regeneration. Rowan fought M-OC with his lightsaber but was forced back by M-OC's flamethrowers.[3]

M-OC was hit by a rock but managed to regenerate. The Freemakers managed to cross an acid lake and Rowan sliced the bridge with his lightsaber. However, M-OC activated his rocket boosters and proceeded to cross the lake. Rowan hurled his lightsaber at M-OC in a boomerang wave, causing the droid to fall into the lake. However, M-OC activated his spider legs and continued the pursuit. Rowan then hurled a metal pole near M-OC. A bolt of lightning struck the metal pole, electrocuting the hunter droid.[3]

Meanwhile, the Freemakers' B1 battle droidRoger discovered Hondo aboard the StarScavenger and realized that he had stolen their ship. Following a struggle, he managed to seal Hondo in a sealed compartment. Roger then flew the StarScavenger to Taul and managed to pick up the Freemakers. The Freemakers then traveled to the junk field and saved Derlin from being killed by two marauding TIE fighters. After retrieving Derlin, the Freemakers reported to Admiral Ackbar that their mission was a success.[3]